Clothes drier



J1me 1950 f BRUCE 2,510,547

I CLOTHES DRIER Filed July 16, 1946 INVENTOR.

Razed z: Dkuc'e Patented June 6, f 1950 7 easiest,

oLoTnnsmmER Robert E. Bruce, Spokane, Wash. W Application July 16, 1946, Seriall'No. 683,952

1 Claim.

My present invention relates to an improved clothes drier and more particularly to a folding drier frame adapted to be mounted upon the ceiling of a basement of drying room, and pivotally attached thereto so that the frame may be lowered while the laundry is secured to the lines, and the frame then is elevated out of the way.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated one complete example of the physical embodiment of my invention according to the best mode I have thus far devised but it will be understood that various changes and alterations may be made in the exemplified structure within the scope of the appended claim.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device of my invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a section throu h the end support taken on line 33 of Figure 1, and

Figure 4 is a section through the support taken on line 44 of Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawings wherein the invention is physically embodied in a pivotally suspended and foldable or retractable frame, I employ two laterally spaced cross bars, or end bars, 2 and 4 preferably formed of tubular metal, and the opposite ends of each bar are equipped with end caps 6 that are retained in place by fastening pins 8 passed through registering holes in the caps and the tubular bars.

Each end cap is fashioned with a longitudinally projecting stud Ill over which the lower perforated end of a suspending arm [2 is slipped. and the free end of the stud is threaded to receive a retaining nut I4 that prevents displacement of the arm.

By means of four flanged brackets I 6, which are aifixed to a suitable overhead support as a ceiling l8, the four arms are pivoted or hinged on horizontal pins 20 of the flanged brackets, so that the frame may be swung on the pivots and folded up against the ceiling or support, and the frame may be unfolded or swung downwardly to horizontal position.

Each cross bar is drilled to receive a suitable number of laterally spaced and transversely arranged eye-bolts 22 that are clamped in the drilled holes, and the complementary eye-bolts on the two bars form terminals for the spaced clothes lines 24. For stretching the lines in taut position, manually controlled means are employed to retain one cross bar, while spring tension means are applied to the other cross bar; and the manually controlled means may be released to permit the sprin tension means to retract, or swing upwardly, the frame and lines.

In the drawings, the right-hand cross bar is adapted for use as a pull-bar or stretcher bar, and the two end caps 6, 6, of this bar are fashioned with depending and perforated lugs or eyes 26, 26, to which are attached the inner ends of a pair of tension springs 28, and the outer ends of these Springs are anchored by bolts 30, 30, in flanged brackets 32 that are affixed, as by screws to the ceiling or support l8.

For swinging downwardly the elevated frame against tension of the springs, the left-hand bar 2 is provided with a tubular socket or sleeve 34 that is adapted to receive an end of a handle bar or lever 36 shown in dotted lines Fig. 4, and by means of this lever the frame may be swun on its four pivots 2|] to a depending horizontal position, for convenience in hanging the clothes, on the lines.

To secure the drier in lowered stationary position I employ a diagonally arranged brace of link 38, the upper end of which is hinged or pivoted at 40 on a flanged bracket 42 affixed, as by screws, to the ceiling or overhead support i8, and the brace is located between the cross bars in position to engage and coact with the approximate center portion of the cross bar 2.

For holding down the cross bar 2, the free end of the hinged or pivoted brace is notched to form a shoulder or releasable detent 40 that frictionally engages with the upper surface of the cross bar, and for swinging the brace into and out of operative position its free end terminates in an eye or hook 46 to which a hand cord or pull rope 48 is attached.

As thus described, the drier may be swung from its initial elevated position, and fixed in lowered position where the lines are readily accessible for hanging the clothes, after which the loaded drier may be released and spring-retracted to elevated position for drying the clothes. After the clothes are dried the drier may be lowered and held in stationary position while the clothes are being detached, and then the drier is released spaced longitudinally extending lines connecting the cross bars, each of said cross bars having a pair of end-caps, and a stud on each cap forming a pivotal connection with the free end of an arm, of spring means connecting the outer side of one cross bar with the support and tending to uplift the cross bars, means on the second cross bars adapted to receive a hand lever for swinging the frame downwardly, a diagonally arranged brace pivotally suspended from the support and located between the two cross bars, said brace having a notch forming a retaining shoulder for frictional engagement with the second cross bar, and manually operated means for swinging the brace into and out of operative relation with the second 4 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,103,722 Winans July 14, 1914 1,639,275 Russo et a1 Aug. 16, 1927 1,645,179 Bunyan Oct. 11, 1927 1,686,341 Nathanson Oct. 2, 1928 2,312,803 Curtenius Mar. 2, 1943 

